Pilates Lab – FAQs

Classical Pilates refers to the original system developed by Joseph Pilates himself, taught through an unbroken lineage of instructors who trained directly under him or his closest students. It is a complete, whole-body system with a specific order, a full suite of apparatus, and a methodology built around long-term progress rather than short-term fatigue.

What most people encounter today (reformer fusion classes, megaformer workouts, Pilates-inspired barre) borrows the equipment or some of the movements, but not the system. Think of it like walking into a gym and only ever doing bicep curls. The results are narrow. Classical Pilates uses the full system, the ordered sequence, and the complete suite of apparatus working together as intended. The difference accumulates over time in ways that are easy to feel.

We are the only Classical Pilates studio in St. Louis. Every instructor on our team is a nationally-certified, third-generation instructor, meaning they’ve trained directly through Mr. Pilates’s original group of instructors. We work exclusively on authentic Gratz apparatus, the equipment Joseph Pilates himself designed, and we teach the full system, not a curated selection of reformer exercises.

Our group classes are capped at four people. That means every session, whether private or group, is genuinely attentive to your body and your progress.

Gratz Industries has been manufacturing Classical Pilates equipment since the 1960s, built to the original specifications Joseph Pilates established. Gratz reformers use heavy springs and unlathed wheels, requiring the body to work with and against real resistance. The equipment is built for precision, not convenience. Most studios, including franchise studios, use lighter, more accessible modern equipment. We don’t. The difference is felt immediately and compounds over time.

It means our instructors were trained by instructors who were trained directly by Joseph Pilates or his closest protégés: Romana Kryzanowska, Eve Gentry, Kathy Grant, and others. The lineage is unbroken and documented. It matters because Classical Pilates is a transmitted practice: the nuances of the method are passed teacher to student, not extracted from a manual.

Yes, and in many ways this is the ideal place to start. Because we work in small groups and private sessions, you won’t be lost in a room of twenty people while an instructor calls out exercises from the front. You’ll be seen, assessed, and taught from your first session. We’ll meet you exactly where you are.

Almost certainly, yes, and in the best way. Clients who come to us from contemporary or fusion studios notice in the first session that the system is more demanding and more complete than what they’ve experienced before. We’ll assess where you are and build from there. Your prior experience is an asset, even if some habits need adjusting.

New clients begin with our intro package: three private sessions that give us the opportunity to assess how your body moves, understand your goals and history, and set the foundation for a lasting practice. From there, we’ll recommend the format, private, duet, or small group, that suits you best. 

No. Classical Pilates is not a fitness test. It is a practice that meets you where you are and builds from there. We work with clients across a wide range of ages, fitness levels, and physical histories, including people returning from injury or surgery. If you can show up, we can work with you. It is the single-best exercise method for deconditioned individuals. 

Because it is a fundamentally different service. A franchise reformer class might have twelve to sixteen people and an instructor managing the room. A session at The Pilates Lab has at most four people, with an instructor who knows your body, your history, and your program. The instruction is genuinely individualized, not modified-for-all-levels, but built for you specifically.

You are also paying for depth of training. Our instructors have thousands of hours of certification and decades of teaching experience. That expertise is what makes Classical Pilates produce the results it does over time.

Yes. Our 12-month membership options offer the best per-session value and are designed for clients who want to build a consistent practice. We also offer flexible packs for those whose schedules don’t allow for a set weekly commitment.

A private session is one-on-one with your instructor, by appointment. Your instructor will work through your program with you on the full suite of apparatus, Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, and more, in a sequence tailored to where you are that day. Sessions are calm, focused, and unhurried. You will be corrected, progressed, and genuinely attended to for 55-minutes. 

Our group classes run with a maximum of four participants. Unlike larger group formats, our instructors can observe and adjust every person in the room. Classes follow the Classical system and are sequenced for the group present, which means the experience is far more individualized than a typical group fitness class. If you are new to Classical Pilates, we recommend starting with private sessions before transitioning to group classes.

Sessions are 55 minutes.

Form-fitting clothing that allows your instructor to see your alignment. Leggings and a fitted top are ideal. Avoid overly loose clothing or anything that bunches around the midsection. Grip socks are recommended. 

Just yourself. Water is always a good idea. We provide everything else.

Yes. This is one of the things Classical Pilates does exceptionally well, and it is one of the reasons clients with complex physical histories seek us out specifically. Our instructors are trained to work around and through injury, and we coordinate with physical therapists when appropriate. We do not take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every program is built around the body in front of us.

If you are post-surgical, we ask that you have clearance from your physician or physical therapist before beginning. Please mention your history when booking so we can plan your intro sessions accordingly.

Yes. Classical Pilates is well-suited to pregnancy when taught by a knowledgeable instructor who can modify and progress appropriately. Please let us know when booking.

Absolutely. Classical Pilates was designed to be practiced across a lifetime, and some of its most devoted practitioners are in their 60s, 70s, and beyond. The system is not about intensity for its own sake. It is about building real strength, ease of movement, and body awareness that compounds over years. If moving well for decades matters to you, you are exactly who we are here for.

Yes. Classical Pilates has a long history with dancers, athletes, and performers precisely because it addresses what high-performance training often neglects: deep stabilization, full-body coordination, and movement quality. Athletes frequently find it both humbling and revelatory. It will fill gaps you didn’t know you had.

Yes. The Pilates Lab is a partner studio of Real Pilates® Teacher Training, one of the most respected Classical Pilates certification programs in the world. If you are considering a career in Pilates instruction, or are already certified and want to deepen your Classical training, we would love to talk with you. 

Because the quality of your practice depends entirely on the quality of your instructor. Our teacher training partnership means our instructors are held to a standard that most studios in St. Louis cannot match. It also means The Pilates Lab is a living, evolving center of Pilates education, not just a place to take classes.

We are located in the 100 Above the Park building in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis at 4981 W Pine, St. Louis, MO 63108.

Please visit our schedule page or contact us directly for current availability. Private sessions are by appointment only. 

You can book lessons and classes directly through our website. New clients should begin with the intro package.

We require 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule any session. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged in full. We ask for this consideration because our instructors work from waitlists and hold your time specifically for you.

Scheduling and account management are handled through Momence. You can access your account and book sessions through our website or the Momence platform directly.

Please contact us directly to arrange a gift. A session at The Pilates Lab makes a genuinely thoughtful one.